Vikings DC Brian Flores tends to simmer with competitive intensity that can be intimidating. Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel understands the reality as well as (or better) than anyone since the pair go back to the Miami Dolphins days before a reunion in the Twin Cities.
Recently, Minnesota’s top defender chatted with the media. What was his message to the youngsters who are looking to adjust to the intensity of the defensive strategist known as The Mad Scientist? Check it out: “My biggest piece of advice would be just applying what he teaches us in the classroom. He has big focal points that he wants to be done each practice. So if you do anything, I would say listen to what he wants, what he’s preaching that day, and apply it on the field.”
Andrew Van Ginkel Offers Some Wisdom
Spurring the question was an earlier answer from safety Josh Metellus. Per the defensive back, the focus for the young fellas rested in seeing through the manner in which Coach Flores speaks (think blunt and fiery). Rather than get too worried about the passion, focus on the specifics of what’s being preached.
Wise words.
Andrew Van Ginkel’s additional comments add another layer of wisdom. Per the veteran edge defender, Flores isn’t looking to deceive anyone in the classroom portion of things. Flores establishes what the priority is and then insists that his players work toward fulfilling the central tenets of that priority. Sounds basic, but some players likely miss the point.
Note, as well, that Van Ginkel offered up a few more thoughts.
“He’s giving you little nuggets and if you can’t listen to what he’s saying and then go apply it, it’s wasted time to him,” Van Ginkel clarifies. “He wants you to figure it out instantly. Especially if he’s putting a big emphasis on it, you should get that right.”
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Presumably, there’s some leeway for these guys to continue being human. Put differently, Andrew Van Ginkel alongside the broader crew of defenders still need to be allowed to make mistakes. Furthermore, there will need to be room for the coaching staff to layer knowledge, slowly building up the players’ abilities as the complexities of ball get mastered over time.
What Van Ginkel appears to be referring to is more general (if I could make an educated guess). Think, for instance, a more intense focus on rallying to the ball carrier before then looking to strip the ball away. Not doing so could lead to Flores losing patience. After all, that’s more of an effort issue than a skill issue, meaning that it’s fully within each guy’s ability to fulfill what is being demanded.
Flores, an old fashioned guy who is a Bill Belichick disciple, values work ethic, compete, physicality, and aggression. Seeing him ask his players to manifest those attributes in specific ways before then not doing so in practice may lead to a player (or two) getting an earful.
Last year, Andrew Van Ginkel got slowed down by injury. He did manage to get into a dozen games, starting eleven while offering his DC 582 snaps.
Van Ginkel’s final statistics show 54 tackles, 7 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 10 passes defended, and 2 fumble recoveries. If there’s a player who best embodies what it means to be a Flores defender, Andrew Van Ginkel is probably it (but Josh Metellus is close).
The Minnesota Vikings will roll into training camp in roughly a month and a half. Players would be wise to pay attention to what the DC wants out of them.
